Life's Bane

Summer holidays are approaching and once again the cost of going on holiday has risen through the roof, making it impossible for some families to take their children away. We can't do anything about the weather so it's understandable that many opt to go abroad, apart from which, in many cases it works out cheaper to stay in a hotel in a popular holiday resort than it does to stay in a hotel over here. I'm all for keeping money circulating in this country and would quite happily never go abroad again, but this year I've bitten the bullet and booked a week's holiday for next year (August 2013) to this RESORT in Kos. It's guaranteed to be hot, is a change of scenery and different culture to introduce Amy to. Some cottages in this area are nearly a thousand pounds a week to stay in; that is self-catering which means if you have a family of four to feed, you'll be spending a hell of a lot of money. One of our favourite holiday destinations is Center Parcs in Cumbria but it's pretty expensive there, too. It's a fabulous holiday but when weighing up the cost of a week just two and a half hours down the road, to a week 4 hours away on a plane, it proved a nice change to try somewhere different. Last year at CP, it rained for two whole days which meant outdoor activities were limited and the pool was packed. The way the weather is right now I'm not building my hopes up for a t'shirt and shorts week, but more for a mac with hood and don't-forget-your-umbrella week. 

I really crave some sun, some gorgeous, guaranteed hot weather where we don't need to worry about packing thermals, socks and woolly cardigans - in the middle of summer. When I was in my late teens and all through my 20's, I used to love going abroad, visiting different countries, mainly holiday resorts but just a chance to feel the sun on my back. 

There is always more to it of course, because unless you run a B&B, hotel or self-catering holiday accommodation yourself you won't understand the ins and outs of expenses this job incurs. But I think if British hoteliers/B&B owners/cottage owners were to reduce the cost of a week's holiday, especially during the summer months when the kids are off school, that more money would be generated through tourism in this country. This area in particular has two main income generators; tourism and farming. The place is always busy during school holidays but we've noticed in the past few years, how it isn't quite as busy as it used to be. Yet prices for accommodation are still rising. Surely something needs to be done.